Free parking and Metrolink tram travel in bid to bring people back into Manchester after riots

The M.E.N. can reveal that car parks will be thrown open and the entire Metrolink network made free of charge in a radical move to boost trade. All on-street parking in the city centre will be free after 4pm tomorrow and the two subsequent Thursdays. NCP will waive charges at the Manchester Arndale car park from 6.30pm-10pm for the next three Saturdays, starting this weekend. There will also be no charge at the car parks in Chester Street, at the Printworks, and Salford Exchange between 4pm-8pm tomorrow, the next Thursday, and the Thursday after.

The ‘I Love MCR’ logo is to appear on buses, billboards, lamp-posts and hoardings in the coming days

A free parking and travel bonanza is being offered to the people of Greater Manchester to help the region bounce back from the riots.

The amount of shoppers in Manchester fell by 20 per cent last weekend due to the fear caused by looters who ransacked the city centre and Salford.

Now the M.E.N. can reveal that car parks will be thrown open and the entire Metrolink network made free of charge in a radical move to boost trade. Council chiefs who put together the package said taking advantage would be the best way for people to ‘show their love’ for Manchester. All on-street parking in the city centre will be free after 4pm tomorrow and the two subsequent Thursdays.

NCP will waive charges at the Manchester Arndale car park from 6.30pm-10pm for the next three Saturdays, starting this weekend.

There will also be no charge at the car parks in Chester Street, at the Printworks, and Salford Exchange between 4pm-8pm tomorrow, the next Thursday, and the Thursday after.

Metrolink is offering free travel between 10am-6pm on Sunday across the tram network.

The offer is available to groups of up to two adults and three children and a voucher for travel will be printed in Friday’s M.E.N. It can also be downloaded from the Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) website.

The deal will save £7 per family and there must be at least one adult in a group.

The parking and transport package has been agreed after thousands of people backed the I Love MCR campaign launched in the aftermath of last week’s disorder.

Bus companies in the region were coming under pressure last night to join in.

The fightback will also see a host of events in the city centre over coming weeks.

This weekend, performers will bring free dance, street theatre and comedy shows to Piccadilly Gardens, St Ann’s Square, New Cathedral Street and Exchange Square as part of the family-friendly Platform 4 event.

There will also be evening shows at Castlefield Arena on Friday and Saturday night. Manchester Pride returns over the bank holiday weekend and Formula One driver Jenson Button will be racing down Deansgate as part of the Vodafone VIP Live event on bank holiday Monday.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester council, said: "The city has embraced the I Love MCR campaign with enthusiasm, and there is no better way of demonstrating that spirit than getting out and enjoying everything the city centre has to offer – whether it’s shopping, culture or nightlife."

TfGM chairman Andrew Fender said: "After last week’s disturbances, it’s great to see Greater Manchester back on its feet and moving on.

"That’s why we’ve decided to offer free travel on Metrolink this Sunday from ten until six for everyone who wants to enjoy a day out – whether it’s for shopping, leisure or a family outing to one of the many attractions Greater Manchester has to offer."

NCP chief executive Jo Cooper said: "NCP is delighted to offer free parking as part of Manchester working together to help the city bounce back."

Vaughan Allen, chief executive of CityCo, Manchester’s city centre management company said: "Although we’ve bounced back quicker than anyone thought, footfall was still 20 per cent down last weekend indicating that people are still apprehensive about coming into the city centre. We can’t afford to have a repeat of that this weekend."

The free transport offer was welcomed by the boss of Manchester Arndale.

General manager Glen Barkworth said: "The initial idea of doing something that would embrace Manchester has evolved into three weeks of activity which has now been endorsed by all the relevant parties.

"This is really exciting to see and I urge all Mancunians to take up these offers of free parking and transport."

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Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of Manchester council, has invited all businesses to join the drive to boost trade after the unprecedented scenes of violence and looting last Tuesday. He has proposed a string of post-Bank Holiday sales in shops across Manchester later this month.

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